Morris tribune., 1887-05-04
THE MOB AT LOUISVILLE.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT MADE TO LYNCH
THE TWO NEGROES.

Several Shots Fired and Three Officers
Seriously IRjured-A Gatlins Gun in
Position Ready for Use-Probability That
Ono Of the Negroes Is IAnocent Of the
Crime Charged.
LOUISVILLE, KY, May 2-Early Satur-
day morning another attempt was made by
an armed mob to break through the police
lines and storm the jail The officers, how
ever were supported by company of militia,
and proved too strong for the attacking force.
Fifty police fell upon the retreating avengers
and in the struggle several people were
trampled upon and many skulls were cracked
Several shots were fired by the mob, and three
officers We're seriously hurt. Five companies
Of the Legion and light infantry are stationed
at the city hall Strong picket-lines are
posted across all approaches to the Jail, and a
Gatling gun is in position ready for instant
use Three companies of militia are held in
reserve at the armory. The police, notwith-
standing the strong military support, make no
attempt to diSperse the mob, being satisfied to
maintain their present position.
About 1880 o'clock Saturday morning Pat
terson. on being informed by reporter for
The. Commercial that the troops were
claimed: THANK God! knew that my pray
ers would be answered. I'm an innocent man
and can prove it.
In reply to the reporters question as to
what evidence he could produce to support his
alibi, he said:
ION Thursday morning, the day of the as
sault on Miss Bowman, was at the Maple
street depot when the Bardstown train ar
rived at 10 o'clock. After the arrival of the
train I walked to Twelfth and Madison streets
about four blocks-and met Willie Woods,
a coal wagon driver, on his way with a load
Of coal to Magazine street We talked few
minutes about woman, and Woods askedme
to go along with him. l went, and stayed
with him until after he delivered the coal.
Then we went to the woman's house on the
way back, and stayed some time. l told this
story to Chief Whallen, but he wouldn't look
it up for me-" -...
The reporter Immediately started out to
hunt Woods up, and about 2 o'clock found
him. On being told Pattersons story, he said
he had delivered load of coal at 1916 Maga-
zine street, and on his way there had met
Patterson at the corner of Twelfth and Madi-
son about 1890, but he did not remember
whether it was on Wednesday the day be-
fore the assaultl or Thursday.
At 5 o'clock Saturday morning the reporter
visited the house of Mr.. Christ O'Conner,
bookkeeper for ONeil & Co. for whom
Woods drives, and after getting him out of
bed told him that the life of Patterson de-
pended on what they were going to ask him
to do. They asked him to go with them and
examine the coal ticket referred to by Willie
Woods. II the date on the ticket was April
81, then Patterson's aibi was established and
he was an innocent man, and if on the day
previous, Wednesday, he had lied.
Mr.. O'Connor willingly consented to go to
the Office, and, hurriedly dressing himself,
jumped into hack with the reporter drove to
the Office. An examination of the delivery
book showed that the load of coal in question
was ordered on April 20, but not delivered
until the following morning. The ticket was
then examined and the fact was established
that Patterson had told the truth
Everything was quiet on the streets and in
the vicinity Of the Jail Saturday and there
was nothing to indicate that Friday
night thousands of rioters, militia
and policemen were struggling with each
other in endeavoring to break Or maintain
the law.